Chair
Billy Goldfeder, EFO (Loveland, OH)

I have been a firefighter since 1973 and am Deputy Fire Chief of the Loveland-Symmes FD in Ohio. My bio is available on www.IAFCSafety.org. I would be honored to serve another term as Chair of the IAFC SHS Section. If re-elected, I will focus on the following 6 goals:

1-ALLIANCES: Continue to build the alliances we have with fire service organizations and media. I also want to work with the NFPA and other organizations to develop one national standard on defining an LODD.

2-IAFC: To work with the IAFC BOD and staff in developing a clear understanding of specific roles and responsibilities by those at headquarters in relationship to the Section.

3-CANCER: To aggressively develop specific goals/objectives related to FIREFIGHTER CANCER...what are we doing about it?

4-NIOSH LODD INVESTIGATION: To work with the IAFF and other organizations in carrying forward the current recommendations for improvement to NIOSH's Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.

5-FIRE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: To continue to work on reported problems with radios, their transmissions and systems on the fireground.

6-THREE FIRE CHIEF "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...SO TAKE ACTION" STEPS: This may be difficult, but I want us to take a planned and publicized stance to get OUR MEMBERSHIP to understand that if they truly believe in "Brotherhood/Sisterhood", taking care of their people, and in some cases, if they want to stay out of court...that they MUST take strong "put up or shut up style" demonstrated and documented actions by adopting proposed SHS developed versions at their FDs.

Vice Chair
Matt Tobia (Anne Arundel County, MD)

The Safety, Health and Survival Section of the IAFC is the fastest growing, and second largest, section in our family.  We are proud of the work that has been accomplished and will continue to work extremely hard to ensure that issues important to the long-term well being of firefighters remain at the forefront of any forum involving emergency responders.   I have had the privilege of working with a distinguished group of members for the past year as an At-Large member, currently serving as the Logistics Section Chief on the Board of Directors.

Now, I ask for your support in assuming the position of Vice-Chair for the section.  I believe I am uniquely qualified for the position and will work extremely hard to ensure our long term growth by being a steward of the position I hope you will entrust to me.  A significant number of extremely dedicated members have committed unbelievable time and energy in creating and fostering the development of what I believe is the most important section in the IAFC.  It is my personal commitment to you that I will continue that work and elevate the reputation of the Section to even higher levels through action.  Specifically, I will work to increase membership, identify partnerships, and expand opportunities to strengthen our voice in issues pertinent to the section.  Please consider giving me your vote in the upcoming IAFC SHS Section election as your Vice Chair.

Secretary
Dave Fischler, Ret. (Suffolk County, NY)

Having been an original Board member of the Safety, Health and Survival Section, I ask for your vote for my election as Secretary. I come to the Board with experience in both the volunteer (42 years - still active) and career fire service (29 years – retired). I served as a lead OSHA instructor for seven years. I am state-certified Incident Safety Officer. I am a New York State-licensed attorney familiar with fire/EMS issues.

I bring this unique combination of experience to the Board. I have provided my legal experience to the work of the section. Knowing both the volunteer and career services allows me to look at different perspectives and identify pertinent issues for all fire chiefs.

I am particularly proud of what the Section has accomplished in such a short time. After only two years, we secured a seat on the IAFC Board of Directors allowing for the Safety Message to become an integral component of the IAFC organization. The Section has been one of the key participants in the implementation of the annual Safety Stand-down.  We are addressing issues related to firefighter fatality investigations, radio communication failures, roadway safety and seatbelt usage. The SHS Board works as an unified leadership TEAM allowing the Section to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I ask for your vote for Secretary to continue the leadership that has so successfully guided our young organization. I thank you for your consideration.

Treasurer
Scott Kerwood (Vidor, TX)

I am officially seeking the position of Treasurer for the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) Section. Currently I am serving in this capacity since being elected to fill an unexpired term, and would appreciate your vote to be re-elected. I have been involved with the SHS Section since its inception and the IAFC Health and Safety Committee for 15 years prior to that. All of the major decisions and accomplishments coming from the IAFC Health and Safety Committee during that time period I was actively involved with. One of my key issues throughout those 15 years was the visibility of the Health and Safety Committee during each IAFC annual conference. That is why I worked to get a booth space each year in order to meet your needs regarding health and safety issues. I have now continued this process with the SHS Section. Also, as a SHS Section Board member, and now as the Treasurer, I first proposed and have been working with the rest of the Board on a Corporate Partnership funding plan in order to help finance the ongoing mission of the SHS Section. Additionally, a few of my other involvements with firefighter safety and health issues throughout my career includes having served as your representative on the NFPA 1500 technical committee as the IAFC Alternate Representative, and presently serving as the Vice Chairman on the new IFSTA training manual on firefighter occupational health and safety. Again, I would appreciate your vote.

Directors-at-Large (4 to be elected)
Brett Bowman (Prince William County, VA)

I have over 33 years of experience in both the career and volunteer fire and EMS service and am currently an Assistant Chief with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, located in a rapidly growing jurisdiction, which is composed of 450 career and 1,000 volunteer personnel.  I have attained a Masters of Public Administration degree, am a graduate of theNational Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and am a Certified Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section. I also serve on the Health and Safety Committee and the Robert White Scholarship Committee of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association.  I am an Adjunct Professor for the University of Richmondand a member of the United States Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

• NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda Public Safety Subcommittee since November 2006.
• NFPA Fire Fighting Tactics Under Wind Driven Conditions research project.

Scott Goodwin (Santa Fe Springs, CA)

My name is Scott Goodwin and I currently serve as the Administrative Division Chief for the Santa Fe Springs Department of Fire Rescue.  I am also designated as the Departments Safety Officer and serve as the First Vice President of the California Training Officers Association, Southern Section. I am a graduate of the Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government program for Senior State and Local Officials, National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and hold a Masters Degree in Public Administration.  I have dedicated my 28 year career to ensure fire fighter safety. I am committed to furthering the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives on a Local, State and Federal level. The current culture of 100 firefighters dying in the line of duty is completely unacceptable.  As a member of the organization I will work toward minimizing this number.  I would appreciate your vote so together we can make all operations of the United States Fire Service safe.

Len MacCharles (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

I am pleased to provide the following information to support my candidacy for At-Large Board Member for the Safety, Health and Survival Section of the IAFC.  I have been a career firefighter for the Calgary Fire Department for 27 years and a Deputy Chief for four of those. The CFD is the third largest FD in Canada and it has provided me with a multitude of experiences and training opportunities. Along with my experience, I have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Law that provides me with a strong understanding of the legal and safety issues facing the North American fire service.

Those who know me are well aware that I spend much time and energy creating safer environments for firefighters.  I am leading an integrated risk management process within my department that is proving to be an excellent way of identifying hazards that firefighters face and providing meaningful solutions to increase safety.

I recently completed my third year in the USFA National Fire Academy's EFO Program and last month received a Management Development Certificate from the University of British Columbia. I am also a peer assessor for the Commission on Fire Accreditation. I look forward to bringing a broad perspective to the international table with respect to the safety, health and survival of firefighters.  I hope to bring my knowledge, skills and safety perspectives to the SH&S Section of the IAFC and grow even more as a board member to serve the North American fire service.

John Sullivan (Worcester, MA)

Fellow SHS section members: The primary purpose for seeking any elected position is to genuinely make a difference in the lives of those we serve. With that intention, it is my honor to ask you to support my candidacy for the position of Director-At-Large. Credentials do not insure effectiveness, but the requisite education and background is important to confirm the value of your vote. Simply, I have enough letters after my name and years under my belt to be a creditable candidate, if you must have the details, ask and I'll oblige.

Those distinctions are not what my candidacy is about however. Being a forceful advocate for firefighter safety and survival for the IAFC is my motivation. Like so many of you, my dedication to firefighter safety, health and survival came at a terrible price following the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse fire. My personal and professional involvement in that devastating tragedy has shaped and directed every aspect of my life since that day.

Empathy coupled with a sincere desire to serve you is my most important qualification. Increasing situational awareness, eliminating training LODDs, promoting overall health and wellness, and advocating for a cultural shift whereby a firefighter death is considered a tragedy of the past and not an expectation of the future is the platform which I will champion on your behalf.

I hope that you will allow me to represent the IAFC SHS section as a Director-at-Large. Together we will move our profession toward a safer future.

Randall Talifarro (East Lansing, MI)

I serve as Fire Chief for the City of East Lansing Fire Department, working in this capacity since 2001. The East Lansing Fire department provides service for East Lansing residents and the campus of Michigan State University. The fire department performs fire, EMS (Paramedic level), HazMat (Technician level), High-Angle Rescue, CSR/Structural Collapse and Water Rescue operations.

I have 24 years in the fire service.  I formerly worked for Flint Fire Department, an urban department with one of the highest fire rates per capita nationally, and retired from that agency as an Assistant Fire Chief. I have a B.A. in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, and am a member of both the IAFC Education and Training Sub-Committee and the IAFC/IAFF Promotional Taskforce. I am also a member of the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and serve on the Michigan Critical Infrastructure Coordinating Committee.

I was a contributor to Chief Officer (2nd ed., 2004, Stowell, IFSTA). I received my State of Michigan Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) designation (1998) and have extensive training from FEMA, attending the National Fire Academy (NFA) and Emergency Management Institute (EMI). I am a DHS (WMD AWR-160) Instructor, an EMI Certified Instructor (NIMS) and a State Instructor for: EMS (Paramedic level), HazMat, Firefighter I/II and Fire Officer I/II/III. I have significant fire and EMS field and classroom experience upon which to draw. I am married to Shawn and have two sons, Ramone and Roland. Ramone is a firefighter for the City of Indianapolis.